News

Tassie Trip Advisor Winners for 2013

01/07/2013

The Port Arthur Historic Site has been named among Australia's top ten attractions by global travel website TripAdvisor.

The Minister for Tourism, Scott Bacon and the Minister for the Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman congratulated Port Arthur Historic site for coming sixth in the Attractions section of Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2013 awards.

Mr Bacon said Tasmania was continuing to develop world-class experiences and generating international recognition in publications such as Lonely Planet or respected websites like Trip Advisor.

"We know that an endorsement from a third party is a very effective way to promote the State," Mr Bacon said.

"That's why we continue to invest significantly in the Visiting Journalist Program, which yields publicity and exposure worth tens of millions of dollars for our tourism businesses.

Mr Wightman said that it was fantastic to see Port Arthur Historic site being recognised as a great Australian attraction.

“Port Arthur is part of Tasmania’s precious heritage and the Tasmanian Government is very committed to preserving this important site.

“That’s why an extra $3 million was committed out of the 2013/2014 Budget to protect the Port Arthur penitentiary.”

The Penitentiary is arguably Australia’s most significant convict ruin. Its image promotes Port Arthur and Tasmanian tourism across Australia and the world, Mr Wightman said.

“The structural works will help stabilise the Port Arthur Historic Site’s largest and most recognisable building.”

Mr Bacon also said it was not surprising that MONA was voted Australia’s number one museum, in Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice 2013 Awards.

“The Museum, David Walsh and all his team are doing a fantastic job at putting Tasmania on everyone’s must do list.

“Tasmania is going from strength to strength in tourism numbers which was shown in the latest tourism snapshot.

“We recorded a 10 % increase in visitor numbers from 845,800 for the year ending March 2012, to 931,100 for the 12 months to March 2013.

“This is further proof that despite an increasingly competitive environment, the sheer quality and diversity of our tourism experiences continues to shine through.”

Port Arthur's Penitentiary in brooding winter light. The Historic Site near Hobart has been named among Australia's top ten attractions by TripAdvisor.